Method of hair depilation

Abstract

A method of depilation using a ruby red laser includes supplying optimum energy to a selected area of skin to cause follicular injury to the extent that depilation occurs without epidermal scaring.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of hair depilation, comprising the steps of: a) aligning a laser light applicator substantially vertically over a hair follicle opening, said applicator having an aperture of sufficient area to surround a hair follicle and overlie its papilla;   b) applying through said aperture to the hair follicle a pulse of laser energy of a wavelength which is readily absorbed by the melanin of the papilla and having a radiant exposure dose of sufficient energy and duration to damage its papilla so that hair regrowth is prevented and scarring of the surrounding skin is avoided.   
     
     
       2. The method of hair depilation as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) said laser light applicator includes an aperture diameter of at least three millimeters.   
     
     
       3. The method of hair depilation as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) said applied radiant exposure dose is between 0.4 j/cm 2  and 10 j/cm 2  for a duration of less than one microsecond.   
     
     
       4. The method of hair depilation as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of: a) damaging the hair follicle by applying an energy pulse to specifically destroy melanosomes using a Q-switched ruby laser.   
     
     
       5. The method of hair depilation as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) the duration of the laser energy pulse is in the range of thirty to forty nanoseconds.   
     
     
       6. The method of hair depilation as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a) the wavelength of the laser energy is closely matched to the absorption spectrum of the melanin.